Obituaries

 

A lifetime resident of the area, Gerry Dickson passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, May 5, 2012, following a lengthy illness. He was 78.

Gerry is survived by his wife Judy, by his sons Gus (Joan) of R.R.# 1 Morrisburg and Ronnie of Brockville and by his siblings Judy (Harland) Veinotte of Morrisburg, Linda McMillan of Cranbrook, B.C., Alice Jarvis of Cornwall and Sandra (Tom) Burns of Iroquois.  

Gerry will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Hailey and Chauncey. 

He is also survived by nieces and nephews. 

He was predeceased by brothers Glen, Dorland and Donald.  

There was no visitation or funeral service.  Donations to the Diabetes Society or Winchester Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com. 

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A resident of the Hartford Home in Morrisburg for the past eight months, Alice DePater passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, following a brief illness. She was 87.

Alice was born in Ermelo, The Netherlands, on January 14, 1925, to her parents Jacob and Beertje Teunissen (nee Bakker).

She worked in the large family garden, speed skated on the local track, played the harmonica, loved reading and enjoyed school, Sunday church and family socials.

The Teunissen family supported each other through the difficult years of occupation and post war recovery. After the war the music performances started up at the town band stand. Being a music lover, Alice would be there. 

One memorable evening a young man, John, saw her in the crowd. Struck by her beauty and golden curls of hair he followed her home to ask for a cup of water.

Three years after their marriage, John and Alice emigrated to Canada with a newborn baby. It was in those early years that the silent strength and resilience of Alice showed itself. Soon there were four young children who needed her maternal care. 

In a new country under challenging circumstances, she raised and loved her family. Her energy was boundless. She kept everyone happy, fed and organized. With grace and dignity, she made the best of every situation.

When her husband became ordained as a pastor, and two more sons were added to the family, a new chapter of life began.

Each chapter began by moving. With every move the family made, she packed and unpacked and set up another comfortable home. 

Throughout her life, Alice was always there to support her family. When grandchildren were born, she would  be there to quietly do what was required. When a crisis or tragedy affected a family member, her calming comfort would be present. Sociability, family and hospitality were in her character.

Alice’s talents as a good mother were carried on to the next generation. As a grandmother and great-grandmother, her generosity continued. From their birth, she loved and cared for every grandchild and great grandchild.

As a wife and life partner, she was devoted, patient and selfless. She followed her husband through a whirlwind of changes and challenges. 

With dignity and honesty she supported her husband in his calling. She was his life-long love, strength and comfort. 

Alice lived her life with humility, kindness, love and dignity.

Alice is survived by her husband of over 63 years John, and by her children Margo (Jack) VanGilst of Finch, Bea (Renny) VanGilst of Elma, Jan (Elizabeth) of Almonte, Alice Douma (Dean) of Ingleside, James (Barb) of Kemptville and Stephen (Sue) of Cornwall.

She will be remembered by her siblings Harmen Teunissen, Gerrie DeWith and Grietje (Jan) Geurts, all of Ermelo, The Netherlands.  

Alice will be fondly remembered by grandchildren Matthew (Anne), Katrina (Steve), Benjamin (Tracy), Luther, Reuben (Emily), Stephanie (Tim), David (Melissa), Tim (Erin), Andrew (Rachel), Dan (Sarah), Dylan, Dexter, Ava, Nathan, Melissa (Dennis), Jason (Jenny), Aaron, Thomas (Michelle), Miranda (Fraser), Steven, Jennifer, Alexandria, Madison and Erik and by her great-grandchildren Mika, Naomi, Petra, Jonas, Rachel, Ezra, Elijah, Kate, Noah, Leah, Ethan, Gabriel, Allison, Desi, Haley, Micah, Eli, Tristan, Dryden, Logan,  Colton, Jackson and Jacob. 

She is also survived by nieces and nephews. 

Alice was predeceased by her parents Jacob and Beertje Teunissen (nee Bakker), her sister Albertje DeWith, her brothers Dirk and Jan Teunissen and her son-in-law John Douma.   

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.  Funeral service was held at Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church on Saturday, May 12th at 11 a.m., with Rev. John Noordhof officiating.  

Interment followed at New Union Cemetery, Williamsburg.  Pallbearers were grandsons Matthew VanGilst, David Van Gilst, Dylan De Pater, Aaron Douma, Thomas Douma and Erik De Pater 

Donations to the Christian Reformed World Relief Fund or Timothy Christian School would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com.

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A former resident of Cardinal, Leslie Anne Wright, passed away at the Village of Humber Heights Retirement Home in Toronto, on Tuesday, February 28, 2012. She was 77.  

The daughter of the late Frederic and Maizie (nee Abel) Jackson, Leslie grew up in Ottawa.  

She was the dearly beloved wife of the late Ian Wright and dear companion of the late Carl Duquette.  

She was step-mother to Alexander (Sandy) Wright and Lalage Hackett and is survived by her sister Linda Barbara McLeod. 

Leslie will be sadly missed by grandchildren, nieces, nephews and many friends.  

An avid golfer, Leslie was proud of her seven hole-in-one trophies, some achieved at the Iroquois Golf Club where she was a member.

A celebration of Leslie’s life will take place at the Marsden McLaughlin Funeral Home in Cardinal this Saturday, May 12 at 1 p.m. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until the time of the service.  

For those wishing, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or a charity of your choice would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  

Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com

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A native of Williamsburg, Ontario, Sue Anne (Black) Helms of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, passed away May 3, 2012, at the Dartmouth General Hospital.

Born in Williamsburg, Sue was the daughter of Anne (Becksted) and Lawrence Black.

Sue attended business college in Montreal where she started working for Trans Canada Airlines. She eventually transferred to the Maintenance Base of TCA in Moncton, where she met her future husband Philip.

Over the years, Sue continued to work as a secretary for The Atlantic Provinces Economic Council, CHNS, Saint Mary’s University and Nova Scotia Power.

Sue is survived by her husband of 61 years, Philip and by her daughter Jean (Albert Mills), her son Stephen (Monica), and her grandson Christopher, all of Dartmouth.

She will be fondly remembered by her brother Frank (Shirley) of Manotick, Ontario, and her sister-in-law, Pauline Helms of Halifax.

Cremation has taken place.

Visitation was at the JA Snow Funeral Home in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on Monday, May 7, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral mass was held in Saint Peter’s Church, in Dartmouth on Tuesday, May 8. Interment is to follow at a later date in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Kentville, Nova Scotia.

Donations may be made to the CNIB, Hope Cottage or Dartmouth General Hospital Charitable Foundation.

On-line condolences may be made at www.jasnowfuneralhome.com 

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A lifetime resident of the Chesterville area, Marion Hart passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, following a brief illness. She was 86.

Marion was born at the family farm in Gallingertown, Nov. 15, 1925. The youngest of three children born to John Montgomery McConnell and Beatrice Higgins, she was sister to Roy and Charlie McConnell. 

She attended Gallingertown Public School and began work at the age of 15. She worked for several area families for some time, before joining the house keeping staff of the Ballantyne Farm at Colquhoun in the early 1940s.

While there she met a young farm worker by the name of Roy Hart and eventually they were married in 1942. 

Roy’s parents, Ernest and May Hart had bought a small farm nearby. In the first year of marriage Roy and Marion owned a Jersey cow and they’d walk daily to the Hart farm to do chores, milk the cow, separate cream for sale and then walk back to Ballantynes for work there. 

In 1943 they moved to the Hart farm and began their dairy farming life at the family home where Marion would live for the next 70 years. 

 

Marion and Roy raised three children, Mark born in 1944, Brenda born in 1950 and Lee in 1951. 

In the early ‘50s Marion, worked for a brief time at Gillard’s Grocery Store in Chesterville and then stayed home to raise the family. In the late ‘50s, work began on developing the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Harts took in three boarders during the construction years. 

In 1961 Marion was offered a temporary, two-week job as a guide at a new tourist attraction known as Upper Canada Village, which was developed as part of the Seaway project.

The rest as they say was history, as that began a 30-year career for Marion at the Village — five years as a guide, and 25 years as craftsperson in the spinning and weaving department in the McDermid House. 

Her 30 years at the Village provided a tremendous opportunity to develop a wide range of skills and talents, meet a whole community of people and develop many life long friendships.

After retirement Marion and Roy never slowed down. They were always involved in the community, were active visiting friends and relatives, enjoying bus trips and travel and spending time with a growing family of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Marion was an active member of Colquhoun United Church, and later Williamsburg United Church as well as the United Church Women. For many years she was also an active member of the Carmen Forward Weavers Guild. 

Marion is survived by her children Brenda Hart (Walter Conrad) of Carp and Lee (Angie) of Calgary, her daughter-in-law Connie Hart of R.R.# 1 Chesterville and her sister-in-law Keitha McConnell of Iroquois.

She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren Chris (Dawn) Hart, Debbie (Dwayne) Pirie, Greg Hess (Jackie Schultz), Shannon Hess, Amanda Hess, Allison Hart (Ryan Ellis), and Nathan Hart (Kenna Morris) and by her great-grandchildren, Jasmine Hess, Madison Hart, Dylan and Austin Pirie. She is also survived by a nephew Kevin McConnell.  

Marion was predeceased by her husband Roy, her son Mark and her brothers Charles and Roy McConnell.   

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.  Funeral service was held at Williamsburg United Church on Monday, April 30th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Ralph Taylor officiating.  Interment followed at Maple Ridge Cemetery, Chesterville.  

Pallbearers were Chris Hart, Allison Hart, Greg Hess, Nathan Hart, Shannon Hess and Amanda Hess.  

Donations to the Williamsburg United Church or Winchester Hospital would be gratefully acknowledged by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdenmclaughlin.com. 

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Kenneth “Gary” Foss passed away suddenly at home on March 29, 2012, after a three year bout with cancer. He was 76 years old.

Gary was born in Ottawa, on September 10, 1935, to the late Wilfred and Amy (nee Workman) Foss and attended school in Morrisburg. He was employed for a short time on the “Lakers” before moving to Sudbury, where he worked for Bell Telephone and met his wife to be, Cynthia Jarvis.

Gary and Cynthia were married in June of 1955, and one year later, their oldest son, Gregg was born. In 1958, they moved to 70 High St. in Morrisburg, where they resided until the present day. Three more children were born here…..Tim in 1959, Jennifer in 1962, and Jill in 1965.

Gary loved, not only his own children, but the neighbourhood kids as well. The house usually rocked with the sounds of kids, cats and dogs.

He was a proud grandfather and will be sadly missed by eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild

He was very active in his younger years, building an addition to the family home with the help of his dad, serving as a volunteer firefighter, attending the Masonic Lodge, coaching hockey and playing for the Morrisburg Oldtimer’s Hockey Team.

Gary retired in 2000, after working as manager at the Crysler Park Marina for 12 years. After retirement he took up the hobby of making fine inlaid wooden boxes. 

In 2009, Gary began his first bout with cancer. He accepted his illness and all the accompanying treatments with grace and dignity while accepting the inevitable outcome. 

He and his love of life will be missed by all who knew him well.

Gary is survived by his loving wife Cynthia and by his children  Gregg of Morrisburg, Tim of Stittsville, Jennifer (Clare) Tatton of Iroquois and Jill (Rick) MacDonald of Orleans.

He was cherished grandfather of Shannon Foss of Ottawa; Richard Foss of Calgary; Andrew Foss of Ottawa; Caitlin and Adrianne Foss of Manterville, Minnesota; Michael Tatton of Sydney, BC; Kiersten and Bradley MacDonald, both of Orleans.

He is survived by one great- grandchild Francis Blackmore of Ottawa and will be sadly missed by sister-in-law Helen Foss of Carrying Place and brother-in-law Don Jarvis (Sue) of Morrisburg.

Gary was predeceased by his parents, by an infant daughter, Leslie and by his brother, Glen. 

Friends were received at the Parker Funeral Home in Morrisburg on Wednesday, April 4, from 7-9 p.m.

Gary was a member of Lakeshore Drive United Church where a memorial service to celebrate his life was held on Thursday, April 5, at 11 a.m., with Rev. Arlyce Schiebout officiating.

Memorial donations to the Lakeshore Drive United Church Memorial Fund will be gratefully acknowledged.  

Condolences and donations may be made at www.parkerofmorrisburg.com

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A long-time resident of Morrisburg, Theona Hope, was granted her angel wings on March 25, 2012.  Her final days were surrounded by loving family, comforted by the wonderful caring staff at Carleton Lodge in Ottawa.  

Rest in eternal peace dear mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. Your happy smile, big hugs, amazing energy will be with us forever. We love you and will miss you so very much.

Theona was the beloved wife of the late Stewart Hope (March 25, 1980).  She was the cherished mother of Roy of Chesterville and Dianna LeBreton of Ottawa, and loving grandmother of Ronii, Carol and Ryan.  

She will be sadly missed by several nieces and nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.   

She was predeceased by sisters Aurore Lalonde, Eva Viau and brother Donat Leger.   

Theona was active in the Morrisburg Curling Club, United Church Bazaars and the Horticultural Society. She enjoyed gardening, her flowers and watching her beloved birds; picnics and watching the boats pass through the locks.  

Theona enjoyed cooking and baking, and was famous for her crème candy.

Friends and family were received at Parker Funeral Home, Morrisburg, on April 7th, 2012. The funeral service was performed at the home by Rev. Arlyce Schiebout.  

Organist, Ann Langabeer, played one of Theona’s favourite hymns, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus”.

Pallbearers were:  Ronii Hope, Ryan LeBreton, Matt Lay, John Hope, Roch Billard and Luc Billard.

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A well known, former restaurateur and resident of Morrisburg, Wing Shee “Kwan” Lee passed away peacefully in Ottawa on Monday, April 16, 2012. He was in his 85th year.

For many years, Kwan was the owner of Lee’s Restaurant in the Morrisburg Shopping Plaza.

Kwan was the beloved husband of the late Seto Han and loving father of Paul (Diane), Jean (Benson), Michael (Mai) and Amie (Robert).

He was cherished grandfather of Liza, Lou-Ann, Alexander, Andrew, Brenden, Jorden, Arielle and Isabelle and dear brother of Joe and the late Yu How Lee.

Friends visited at the Central Chapel of Hulse, Playfair and McGarry at 315 McLeod Street in Ottawa on Friday, April 20, from 2-5 p.m.

The funeral service was held in the chapel on Saturday, April 21 at 10 a.m.

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Betty June Serviss, 75, of Govenor Hunt Road, in Vernon, died Saturday, April 7, 2012, at Cape Coral Hospice House following a period of declining health.

Mrs. Serviss was born in Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada, on July 3, 1936, the daughter of Harold and Pearle (Feeley) Canning. She was raised and educated in Morrisburg and later resided in Gouverneur, New York, before moving to Vernon with her family in 1970.

She had been employed as a claims taker for the Vermont Department of Employment and Training for almost 25 years working in the Brattleboro office. Previously she had worked for H&R Block where, initially, she opened and managed the Brattleboro office. She continued to work for H&R Block on a part-time basis up until 1998.

Mrs. Serviss was a past member of the Dennis Rebekah Lodge in Gouverneur and was a member of Vernon Union Church where for several years she served as Sunday school superintendant. 

She enjoyed crossword puzzles, bowling, dancing and time shared with her family.

On July 14, 1951, in Cardinal, Ontario, Canada, she was married to Francis Serviss, who predeceased her on February 16, 2006.

Survivors include three sons, J. Allen Serviss and Donald G. Serviss, both of Vernon, and Scott L. Serviss of North Fort Myers, Florida; two daughters, Jan L. Whittle of Brattleboro and Debbie J. Savage of Vernon; one brother, Ralph Canning, of New York; a sister, Beverly St Pierre of Ontario, Canada and nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Additionally she leaves many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by one brother, Donald Canning.

Funeral services were conducted Friday at 2:00 p.m. at Vernon Union Church with Pastor Steve Dunklee officiating. Burial followed in North Cemetery in Vernon.

Friends were invited to call at the Atamaniuk Funeral Home on Thursday from 6-9 p.m. 

Memorial contributions in Mrs. Serviss’s name may be made to Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 593, Brattleboro, VT,  05302.

To sign an online register book or send messages of e-condolence please visit www.atamaniuk.com.

Atamaniuk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

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A lifetime resident of the Brinston area, Gerald John Westervelt, passed away at home on Wednesday, April 4, 2012, following a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 50 years old.

Gerald was born in Winchester on July 24, 1961, to his parents Gerrit and Johanna Westervelt (nee Geurkink). He attended Timothy Christian School in Williamsburg and Seaway District High School. Following high school, he worked for his dad on the family farm.  

In 1994, Gerald and his brother John purchased the farm from their father. 

On April 4, 1986, he married Pamela Wind and together they had five children: Rebecca, Kimberly, Christopher, Larissa and Jillian. 

Gerald was a devoted husband and father.  Gerald loved farming.  He was a lifetime member of the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church. He also enjoyed photography.  

He was passionate about helping others in need and had the farm participate for many years in the Canadian Foodgrains project.  

Gerald was a humble man, with a good sense of humour, always friendly and smiling.  He will always be remembered as being a courageous fighter, and an honourable man, who touched many people’s lives.

Gerald is survived by his wife Pamela, his children Rebecca, Kimberly, Christopher, Jillian and Larissa; his father, Gerrit Westervelt of Brinston; his siblings  Evelyn (Gerald) Van-Starkenburg of Pembroke, Margaret Westervelt of Brinston, John (Jana) of Brinston, Martin (Trudy) of Brinston and Calvin (Sheila) of Grand Rapids, Michigan.  He is also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Gerald was predeceased by his mother, Johanna.  

Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home, Williamsburg, on Friday, April 6, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. 

Funeral service was held at the Williamsburg Christian Reformed Church on Saturday, April 7, at 11 a.m., with Rev. John Noordhof officiating.  Interment followed at Spruce Haven Cemetery, Brinston. 

Pallbearers were Bert Smail, Rob Smail, Albert Zandbergen, Ralph Tibben, Allan Freeland and Harry Van’tFoort.  

Donations to the Canadian Foodgrains Bank or the Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated by the family.  Online condolences may be made at marsdensmclaughlin.com.

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